Method of processing thread or the like



Feb. 10, 1942. A. H. BURKHOLDE'IR ETAL 6 2,272,132 mwnon OF- PROCESSING THREAD OR HE LIKE Filed May 3, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z'Snnentors ALDEN H -BURKHOLDER m WALTER E KNEBUSCH by M Cittorneg Feb 1942. A. H. BURKHOLDEER EI'AL 2,272,182

IINIIIIH nmmumnn 1 i nnnn to Feb. 10,1942.

A. H. BURKHOLDER ETAL METHOD OF PROGESSINGTHREAD OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet s ISnnentors Filed May 3, 1938 24 Fin-14 y FIG. 16

QLDEN @URKHDLDER m ALTER. NEBUSCH by attorney 7 artificial silk thread by Patented Feb. 10,

UNITED "S AT Alden H. Burkholder, Cleveland, and, Walter F. Knebusch, Rocky River, Ohio, 'aasignore to Industrial Rayon Corporation, v Ohio, a corporation 0! Delaware Cleveland,

Application May 3,1938, Serial No. 205,678

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the processing of thread or the like and, more particularly, to methods or subjecting thread or the like to the action of processing liquid while it is continuously but temporarily stored in ,a plurality of generally helical turns on a thread-advancing, threadstorage device. While the invention provides great advantages in the processing of any kind of thread or the like, it may be employed to especial advantage in the-liquid processing of artificial silk thread. The invention Qis particularly applicable to the type of liquid processing operation employed in the manufacture of viscose the so-called, continuous method.

If a continuous process of the latter type employing one or more liquid processing steps is to be commercially successful, several conditions must be satisfied. In the first place, in order that the thread may be of commercially acceptable quality, it is necessary that the thread shall a not be damaged as a result of the processing. It is likewise necessary that the thread shall be both thoroughly and uniformly acted upon by the processing liquid or liquids. Furthermore, if the process is to be commercially feasible, it is extremely important that the smallest possible,

amounts of processing liquids be employed to treat the thread.

The last-mentioned qualification arises out of the fact that in a commercial plant-for the manufacture of viscose artificial silk thread it is necessary, in order to obtain the requisite commercial production, that several thousand threads be produced simultaneously. If excessive amounts of liquid are required to process each thread, the

cost of the processing liquids becomes so high and the costs involved in conducting large quantities of processing liquids to and in the machines-become so great as to render the process as a whole impracticable. This is particularly true in the manufacture of viscose artificial silk thread, which must be subjected to processing liquid at several different stages in the process of manufacture.

With these considerations in mind, it has long been recognized in the art that if viscose artificial silk thread is to be continuously processed, it

must be subjected to the action of the processing liquids while stored in generally helical form on one or more thread-advancing thread store devices. -It has been further appreciated that it is desirable that such thread-advancing thread store devices be self-threading that is, that such devices should not require that each of the nutangled overwound merous turns of thread be wound thereabout by hand. The reasons for these desiderata can be realized when it is understood that many thousands of such thread-advancing thread store devices are necessary in a single commercial plant.

Heretoiore, when the thread has been subjected to liquid processing treatment on such de-' vices, numerous difliculties have been encountered. Because in such devices the turns of thread are supported at spaced points, it has heretofore been thought necessary to have a relatively wide spacing of the turns, this more especially in order to prevent entangling or adjacent turns. However, even with such wide spacingot turns a great deal of difficulty has often been encountered. For example, the processing liquid has tended to cause individual turns to be washed out or position into contact with other turns; also, it has not infrequently happened that a globule of processing liquid clinging to two' adjacent thread turns has tended, due to the surface tension of the processing liquid, to draw the turns together. F

Where turnsare thus displaced, they form a bundle on the thread-bearing periphery of the device in which bundle certain turns are disposed over or under adjacent turns and in which the filaments of adjacent turns are usually badly entangled. When, subsequently, .the thread bundle so formed is discharged from the device, the enr underwound turns tend to break, as do also the snagged filaments. -As a result, the quality of the thread is-conslderably impaired, often sufliciently'to render the thread useless for the purpose originally intended.

Moreover, because of the wide spacings heretofore employed, a large portion of the processin liquid has not adhered to the turns, but has merely dropped off between them. As a result, a large portion of the appliedprocessing liquid has not served to process the thread, but has been wasted. In addition, because the processing liquid has generally been applied to the thread in one or more streams from a point or points above the respective thread-advancing thread store devices, the streams of processing liquid have necessarily been in contact with the thread in each turn for only the very short interval required to advance the turn therethrough. In some cases, not all of the thread in each turn has come into contact with the stream orstreams of processing liquid,

resulting in, insufliciently processed portionsof the thread.

All of the foregoing and numerous other difflculties are obviated by the present invention.

tion the thread is subjected to processing liquid while stored on a rotating thread-advancing thread store device which serves to advance the thread lengthwise thereof in a plurality of generally helical turns, the conditions under which the thread is processed in accordance'with the present invention are such that the processing liquid is caused to form a substantially continuous film over a substantial portion of the periphery of the thread-advancing, thread store device. Therefore, a number of turns of thread are completely enveloped in a thin layer of processing liquid, in consequence of which fact the thread may be much more thoroughly and uniformly processed than has heretofore been possible. Moreover, the thread may be effectively processed with the application thereto of a great deal less liquid than would otherwise be required.

In the drawings, in which are shown several forms of apparatus by means of which the invention may be practiced, Figure 1 is a perspective of apreferred form of such apparatus. Figure 2 is a side sectional elevation of a portion of said apparatus, parts being broken away to show the construction of the illustrated thread-advancing thread store device. Figure 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 2, showing one of the thread-advancing thread store devices. Figure 4 is a plan sectional elevation of the preferred form of apparatus from line 4-4 of Figure 2.

2,272,102 While accordingto the teachings of the invenity of thread-advancing thread store devices 2 on each of which the thread is subjected to a processing treatment. The illustrated appara- Figure 5 is a diagrammatic elevation on a greatly enlarged scale showing in cross section two adjacent turns of thread disposed on a reel bar member. Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan of the turns of thread or the like of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation to the same scale as Figure 5, showing in cross section the filaments of adjacent turns of 'thread in the relation which they may assumewhen the thread is processed according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan corresponding to Figure '7. Figure 9 is a diagrammatic represention of another form of apparatus by means of which the invention may be practiced showing one of the thread-advancing thread store devices.

'Figure 14 is a corresponding front elevation.

Figure 15 is a sectional elevation of a portion of still another form of apparatus by means of which the invention may be practiced. Figure 16 is a sectional elevation thereof from line l6l6 of Figure 15. In these and the other figures of the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout,

For convenience, the invention will be described in connection with the continuous processing of multiple filament viscose artificial silk thread on apparatus similar to that shown, described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 7,114 (Patent 2,225,642).

In such apparatus, thread I from a suitable source is passed in sequence. to each of a pluraltus may be generally similar to that of the abovementioned prior application in that the apparatus as a whole may comprise a plurality of downwardly extending series of thread-advancing thread store devices each of which operates on a single thread. Corresponding devices of such adjacent series may be disposed in corresponding positions longitudinally of the machine whereby advantages are provided in the construction of the'apparatus and in the liquid sup-' ply and collecting systems.

The individual thread advancing thread store devices preferably take the form of threadadvancing reels of the type shown, such reels operating on the same principle as the reel shown, claimed and described in copending application Serial No. 652,089 (Patent No. 2,210,914). The illustrated reels are, however, of cantilever form; that is, each is supported and driven from one end omy. Each advances the thread toward the free end of the reel in a large number of closely spaced generally helical turns. Numerous benefits are provided by the cantilever construction of the reel, among them being ease of starting the thread on the reel, advantages in transferring the thread to the succeeding devices, etc.

Because of the cantilever construction of the reels, they can be disposed as shown in Figure 2 in stepped relation with the unobstructed end of each reel in apposite relation to the supported end of the succeding reel. Numerous advantages are provided by such arrangement, among them the fact that the thread does not have to bend sharply in passing from one reel to another. As a result it is possible to avoid the stresses induced by sharp bending, which stresses would tend to inJure the thread. Moreover, such a stepped arrangement of reels is advantageous in that the reels are readily accessible fin operating purposes, as for starting the thread on the reels, for inspection and maintenance, etc.

The operation and construction of the illustrated reels will be explained in connection with Figures 2, 3 and 4.

As shown in these figures, each reel is made up spaced longitudinally extending bar members 9 alternately disposed to the bar members 6 of reel member 4. Said reel member 5 is mounted for rotation about an axis offset from and inclined to that,,of reel member 4. The axes of the reel members are preferably disposed as shown in Figure 2; that is, inclined from the horizontal.

Concentric member 4 may be formed as shown with the bar members 8 formed on the periphery of a cylindrical body II, in which case great rigidity is obtained. While said reel member 4 may be mounted onthe drive shaft I in various manners, in that shown the generally cylindrical body H is concentrically mounted on a reduced portion of the drive shaft 1, being held in said drive shaft. whereby the reel v 'member.

' drive. shaft "I.

I amazes against a shoulder on said drive shaft by a cap nut l2 threaded on the end of the. drive shaft I. The body H i provided with .1.98 list-them end e e. in h c o a jecting ends of a pin lljdisposed diametrically a m r 1 caused to rotatewith drive shaft a In the t, the; eccentric reel member s is formedof e 'rigidbage-like member ,lt havinggan internal annular ribl II at the unsupported end or the reelwhich'rib serves to reinforce the'bar members at said end. At

the. other end is an external en meen I! which serves to reinforce the bar members a and which also serves as means'by which the cagelike member II is mounted on an" annular member l1 whichls Journalled on frame member 8 for rotation about an axis disposed in the desired offset and inclined relation" to thatof the drive shaftl. In the illustrated apparatus, the frame member s for each reel is mounted-cn'the in- I practices" heretofore followed. f The thread turns should be spaced closely enough in fact, to'per clined beam ll forming partoffthe frame of the v apparatus. M

The reel membersmay bemade of some material resistant to the action of the liquids,- while sealing-means, such asabellow'sshaped rubber diaphragm l9,""rnaybe'provided to seal the bearing meansagainst entrance of processing liquid 1 Rotation of'the reel drive shaft! causes concentric member lilxed theretoto rotate, whereupon contactof the bar members 8 oiconcentric member 4 with the bar members 9 of eccentric member 5 causes said eccentric member to rotate atthe same angular speed' -During such rotation,'the" offset relation of'the generally cylindrical reel members and 5 causesthe thread in each turn to be transferred from the bar'members of one reel member to those of the other reel Simultaneously, the inclined "relation of the v ree1 members causes the thread to'adthe thread is being subjected to processingfluid vance infia plurality of "generally helical turns lengthwise of the reel. 'I'hemagnitude ofthe inclination between the axes of the reel members, indicated by the angle a in Figurel4,-determines thepitch of thehelical turns of thread;- that is, I

the greater the angle a, the greater is the pitch of the helicalthread turns. c v

The reels may ,be driven by any suitable meanspfor example, from'a drive shaft 2| disposed parallel'tothe inclined beam [8 and driv-- ing a plurality otreels in .avprocessing series, one of the gears 22 mounted on said drive shaft meshing with a gearfl mounted on eachreel In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 ,inelusive, processing liquid is applied to the thread stored on each, reel from a tube. which is supplied with processing liquid from aconduit it .extenck' ing longitudinally oflthe machine and serving corresponding reels in. a horizontal series. .The processing liquid is ,i bllected in e "suitab1e',;,collecting trough 2 8, extending beneath the reel,

' which troughmaylikewise serve a plurality of e s i hol' zmie 's hrsiw t trough collects the liquid j applied! to the; reel above it and also, by'means of the reagent supply conduit .formed integrally therewith, supplies proc ss 's i ii heisucc ns"re in e processing sequence. of "f troughs i formed "with'a recessed portion. 21; through which According to the present invention, the proccasing. is caused to form a continuous film or'shee't' of liquid in which the threadturns are contained andjwhichpreferably extends entirely around -the reelfover a manner portion of the 'p ernhere i- ,7 v In order-that the 111m of processing liquidmay be formed and maintaineditis necessary, for a given size of thread, that ,theithread turns be spaced considerably more closely than in the adjacentthread turns supported by one of the reel bar members, andv by. Figure] 6, which representsa fragmentary plan elevation thereof,. when under the conditions obtaining in "the practices heretofore followed, no offprocessin liquid is formed between adjacent thread turns. vThis arises because jadjacent thread turns are so widely spaced that theprocessing liquid on the thread turns cannot forma film between ad- Jacentjturna Rather, the illa'ment'sfin each thread are disposed in unitary bundles atspaced points along the bar members, the bundles of filaments being'com'pactin cross section'due to the jfact. that the surface tension of' the liquid eunemg to theillaments tends to draw them into a bundle of as small cross sectionas possible.

The ielatively great space heretofore vemployed between adjacent thread turns in proportion to the sizeqf-v the thread, which wide space" has been thoughtf'necessary in the prior-practices to prevent the filaments of adjacent thread turns from entangIingQis also 'apparent from these figures.

' ber andsize offllameritsareproperly related, the

the thread the reel a ove .tfitroug h to the ueeeedhi ereel; suitablef'guideffl being succeedingreel)? provided, if-desiredg'jtbgfldie t egt r eu ntom the conditions illustrated 1h Figures'l'andfi, ad

Figures! to 12, inclusive, show the positions which may be assumed by the filaments in ad'- jacjent turnsof thread when a film of processing gquidis formed"accord ing to the present inven- V @Dparent from these figures, the filaments of; the thread turns are spread out into a thin layerextending completely around thefl'reel'; thisbecause the surface tension, of 'the processing liquid which is carried by the fllam'entsfeauses the liquidjto formf'a fllmjbetween the filaments. As shown in Figures 7 and 8,, for instance, under suitable} conditions -andgffparticularly. when the pitch'of the advancinghelik of thread and numfilam'ents of adjacent thread tums will spread "ital single layer ev r: fl e h ea -b r s' pe riphery of the reel. Figures 7 and8 represent two adjacent of thread on the same scale as Flgures5and 6.. Ilndersuitable conditions, as when the pitch of the advancing [helix is greater or the 'number of. filaments is. less than "under byFlgure 5, which represents a cross sectional view on a greatly enlarged scaleof two jacent filaments will be more widely spaced than shown in these figures-so that the filaments do not contact with each other, as shown inFigures 9 and 10. The processing liquid adhering to the filaments, however, forms a continuous film covering all of the filaments.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate an arrangement of the thread filaments which perhaps occurs more frequently in the processing of thread according to the present invention than do the arrangements of filaments illustrated in Figures 7 to 10, inclusive. Under the conditions illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the filaments of adjacent turns are spread out into a layer which is more than a single filament in thickness. This condition occurs with-thread of ordinary size when the thread turns are more closely spaced than in Figures '7 to 10, inclusive, or when the thread contains a larger number of filaments. For instance, when continuous bundles of filaments, such as are to be cut into staple fiber, each of which bundles contains hundreds or thousands of filaments, are continuously subjected to liquid processing treatment on reels according to the present invention, it is desirable to advance the bundles in a helix the pitch of which is small enough to cause the filaments in the turns to spread out into a layer two or more filaments in thickness. are so spread out, the number of layers of filaments is much less than the number of layers in which the filaments would be disposed if the thread were processed. according to the prior practices, as shown in Figures and 6. This results in great advantages in processing, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

As previously explained, the spacing between I the thread turns is determined in the case of the illustrated reel by the angle of inclination between the reel members, indicated, for example, by the angle a in Figure 4. With such a reel, very accurate control over the spacing of the thread turns can be obtained. Furthermore, the thread turns can be very accurately closely spaced. These advantages follow from the fact that the thread turns are advanced only by the rotation of rigid reel members about inclined axes and by no other moving parts between which there could be no lost motion.

For a reel of given diameter, the speed of rotation of the reel also plays a relatively important part in the formation and maintenance of the film of processing liquid. The speed of rotation of the reel should be high enough to cause the development of sufficient centrifugal force acting on the film to maintain the film; that is, the speed of rotation should not be so low that the processing liquid applied to the thread on'the reel, as from a point above the reel, merely drops off the thread when at the upper portion" of the reel. On the other hand, the speed of rotation of the reel should not be so high that the centrifugal force developed is great enough to throw oil! sufiicient processing liquid from the film to destroy it. These factors provide the limits for the rotative speed of the reel; but between these limits the speeds may be varied to a con-' 'siderable extent and satisfactory results still be obtained.

The number of bar members carrying the thread turns, the width of said bar members, and the spacing therebetween also influence to a certain extent the formation of the film of processing liquid.

The manner in which the processing liquid Due to the fact that the filaments.

is applied to the thread also affects the 'formation and maintenance of the film of processing liquid. In general, most satisfactory results are obta ned when theliquid is applied to the thread on the reel from above the reel and substantially tangentially thereto, since if the processing liquid were to be applied to the thread in the reel in one or more substantially radial streams, the streams of processing liquid might disturb the filaments or thread turns, causing them to entangle. Preferably, the processing liquid is applied against the direction of rotation of the reel, as shown, for instance, in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, since thereby formation and maintenance of the film of processing liquid are facilitated.

The amount of liquid which is applied to the thread should not be too little, else the film of processing liquid will not be formed due to the fact that an insufficient quantity of liquid adheres to the thread. In such case, non-uniformity of the spacing of thread turns and'discontinuities in the film of processing liquid will occur. On the other hand, the amount of processing liquid which is applied to the thread should not be too great, since such excess processing liquid does not increase the efiectiveness of the processing of the thread, but merely drops oil into the trough 26.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and in Figures 13 and 14. the reels are preferably inclined somewhat from the horizontal, the end at which the thread leaves the reel being higher than the end at which the thread starts on the reel. When the reel is thus inclined, a very eflective countercurrent flow of processing liquid is provided since the processing liquid may be applied to the elevated end of the reel and be caused to travel toward the lower end of the reel in the film of processing liquid. This makes for very efiicient processing of the thread, since the thread which has just started on the reel is subjected to the action of processing liquid which has previously been used to treat other portions of the thread, while the thread approaching the point at which it is to leave the reel is subjected to fresh processing liquid.

The amount of inclination of the reel from the horizontal influences the successful formation and maintenance of. the film of processing liquid on the thread turns. If the amount of inclination is too great, the liquid will tend to run toward the lower end of the reel too rapidly and hence a film of processing liquid cannot be formed and maintained. If the amount of inclination is too small, the processing liquid will not travel entirely toward the lower end of the reel and hence a continuous film will be obtained only over a limited portion of the reel. In general, the reel should be inclined only a very few degrees, the exact amount being dependent to a certain extent on other factors. The magnitude of the inclination is preferably of the order indicated in the examples hereinafter given.

In connection with the processing of the thread under conditions in which a film of processing liquid is formed over the thread turns, the exact amount by which the bar members of each reel member are retracted within the threadbearing bar members of the other reel member is likewise important. If theamount by which the bar members are retracted is too great, the film of processing liquid will break between the tion.

' least of the thread winding dn the reel.

thread turns and the retracted bar members. Rupture of the film of processing liquid may cause certain of the filaments, which, as has been stated, are spread out-in a thin layer, to override the filaments oi adjacent thread tin'ns.

'When this occurs, the displaced filaments tend to break as the thread is unwound from the reel. Therefore it is important that the bar members of each set should not be retracted to too great an extent within such of the bar members of the other set as are carrying the thread, but should be withdrawn only sufilciently to permit the thread-advancing operationto take The effect r the amount by which the bar members of each set are retracted within the other set'forms the subject matter of copending application SerialNo-Z-'"205,863.-

In the preferred form of apparatus shown in .Figures "1 to 4, inclusive, and' to particularly good advantage in Figure 1, the thread I starts on each reel 2 at the supported end thereof and isadvanced toward the free end of the reel, from which it is caused to leave the reel. The reel is inclined from the horizontal, the free end of end of the reel, the stream being directed against the direction of rotation and substantialiy'tangentially to the reel.

In operation, the reel ,is rotated at an angular speed the rate of which is in part dependent upon the size of the reel and other factors, as will appear from the examples hereinafter given of actual operation according to the present inven- The thread turns are advanced in a helix of suitably small pitch dependent in part upon the size of the thread and other factors. Under such circumstances, as will be apparent from the hereinafter described examples, the processing liquid applied to the thread and adhering thereto forms a film between adjacent turns of thread due to end of the thread winding and cannot maintain the film. Therefore, the processing liquid leaves the reel at the end of the winding adjacent the supported end of the reel either in a more or less continuous streamas shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, or indrops or masses of liquid, being collected in the collecting trough 26. Relatively little liquid is thrown off the reel by centrifugal force since in general'the liquid collects into a mass which drops from the reel at the rear. An efiective countercurrent fiow of processing liquid is thus. obtained, the thread being subjected to fresh processing liquid at the end of the reel from which it leaves the reel. Due to the surface tension of theliquid, the filaments of the thread turns are spread out into a thin layer, as above illustrated, which layer is contained in and supports a film of processing liquid. In fact, during the processing of the thread and rotation of the reel, adjacent turns of thread are practically indistinguishable from each other along the length of the reel on which the film is formed. Indeed, as the reel rotates,

the thread on the reel appears to consist of a thin layer of filaments, extending entirely around the reel. and along itsthread-bearing periphery,

contained in a film or layer of liquid. However,

when the thread reaches the free or discharge end of the reel, it may be withdrawn with no difficulty, since the filaments forming the thread are not entangled in adjacent thread turns.

While the reel is operating and the thread is being. processed, adjacent thread turns are practically indistinguishable from each other, as above indicated; however, when the processing operation is being started, conditions are different.

Reels of the illustrated type are self-threading;

that' is, in starting the thread on the reel it is only necessary to bring the wet thread into contact with the rotating reel, after which the thread will be advanced lengthwise of the reel in a plurality of generally helical turns. In the apparatus of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, after the thread has been started on a reel and until the surface tension of the liquid. Due to the inclination of the reel, the processing liquid travels toward the lower end of the reel and the film of the1 entire length of the thread winding on the ree I As shown in Figures 1 and 2, because the processing liquid is applied substantially tangentially to the reel against the direction of rotation of the reel, a comparatively thick layer 32 of processing liquid is formed over a portion at The processing liquid in said layer tends to drop downward over the periphery of thereel, but said layer is maintained because the thread on the reel is moving upward in'a clockwise direction. The formation of this layer oi. liquid, which may extend substantially along the entire length. of the cause it acts as a source of supply for the film of processing liquid along the length of the reel and since it conveys excess processing liquid which is not carried by the film. toward the sup- P rted end of the reel.

When the processing liquid .reaches the supported end of the reel; 1. e., the end on which the thread starts, it can travel no farther, due to the fact that the bar members extend beyond the processing liquid is formed and maintained over i 1 thread winding on' the reel, is advantageous bethe initial thread turns reach the stream of processing liquid at the discharge end of the reel, the filaments in each thread turn adhere to each other so that adjacent thread turnsare clearly. distinguishable from each other, being in general in the condition illustrated in Figures 5 and 6,

though perhaps not so-widely spaced.

f However, when the thread turns approach the free end of the reel, the stream of processing liquid reaches the thread turns, with the result that the filaments spread as the film of processing liquid is formed during rotation of 'the reel.

The film of processing liquid advances toward the lower end of the'reel; i, e., the supported end of the reel in these figures, and the filaments of the thread turns spread as the film advances. Thus which the results of the present invention may be obtained. As shown in the embodiments of Figures 13 and l4,for instance, the stream of proc- 6 essing liquid :1 from the tube 24 ma be supplied substantially tangentially to the reel but in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the reel. Under these circumstances a film of processing liquid similar to that previously described will be formed and maintained over the thread windings. In the apparatus of Figures 13 and 14, as in the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the processing liquid will travel in the film toward the lower or supported end of the reel and drop ofl into the collecting trough 20.

It is not necessary that the reel be inclined from the horizontal in order to cause the formation of the film of processing liquid over the reel. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, it is also possible to'obtain a continuous film of processing liquid which extends entirely around a reel which has its axis horizontal. Under these circumstances, however, the effect of the inclination of the reel. in aiding the formation of the film of processing liquid along the thread-bearing surface of the reel is absent.

In such circumstances, it is desirable, as-in the apparatus of Figures 15 and 16, to provide a pinrality of spaced streams Sia for distributing the liquid along the thread-bearing periphery of the reel. Each stream of liquid, impinging on the thread turns on the reel, tends to spread out and form a film of processing liquid due to the surface tension thereof, which film, during rotation of the reel, extends completely around the reel for at least a portion of the length of the threadbearing periphery of the reel. The streams of processing liquid should be sufliciently closely spaced and should discharge in such amounts that the film formed by each stream merges with the adjacent film and thus forms a continuous film of processing liquid over the entire threadbearing portion of the reel. Preferably, the streams of processing liquid should be directed substantially tangentially to the reel against the direction of rotation thereof because of the above-discussed advantages in the formation and maintenance of the film.-

The spaced streams of liquid may b applied 45 The bar members of the concentric reel member are 3', wide, while those of the eccentric reel member are 1%" wide. The reel members rotate about-axes which are offset from each other in parallel planes, the amount of such oflset being very close to it". The reel is inclined from the horizontal with its unsupported end higher than its supported end, the amount of inclination being inch per inch or 3 The thread is, of course, advanced toward the free end of the reel.

I Processing liquid is applied to the thread on the reel in a single stream at the discharge and of the reel. the stream being directed against the direction of rotation of the reel and substantially tangentially thereto, substantially as shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. Approximately 2'10 c. c.

v of processing liquid per minute are thus supplied per inch are used, but preferably between 27 and turns per inch are employed. i

As an example, a film of processing liquid of the type to which the present invention is di- 33. Said distributor comprises a trough-like 1 member 34 which is disposed below a hole 35 in the reagentsupply conduit 25. One face of the trough-like member 34 of the reagent distributor 33 is provided with vertically extendinggrooves 36 in which are disposed weir notches or slots 31 extending through the wall of the trough-like member. By this means the processing liquid is caused to fiow on the reel in a suitable number of streams of suitable magnitude to form a continuous film of processing liquid over the thread turns on the rotating reel. The liquid leaving the reel is collected in trough 20.

The following examples are illustrative of the conditions under which thread or the like may b continuously subjected to liquid processing treatment according to the present invention.

Very satisfactory results have been obtained when viscose artificial silk thread of 150 denier and 40 filament i subjected to liquid processing treatment on a cantilever reel of the illustrated type forming part-of apparatus of the general type shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The thread-bearing portion of each reel member is 5" in diameter, each reel member comprising 14 bar members, the total length of the portion of rected can be obtained within the above-indicated pitch range if the processing liquid is washing water.

ployed, and good results are obtained up to 200 R. P. M. With a reel of the above size, the centrifugal force acting on the film of processing liquid appears to be too great at speeds substantially above 200 R... P. M. When thread of the above-indicated size is processed according to th above conditions, a continuous film of processing liquid is formed which extends completely around the reel over the entire length of the thread windings on the reel. The thread is thoroughly and uniformly processed and has highly uniform characteristics throughout its entire length.

Effectiv processing is also obtained when a bundle of viscose filaments of 5,000 denier containing 1,700 filaments, such as is employed in making staple fiber, is subjected to liquid processing treatment on a cantilever reel operating on the same principle as the reel illustrated. The

. thread-bearing portion of each reel member of such reel is 17" in diameter and the portion of the reel covered by the thread winding is 7" long. Each reel member comprises 30 bars, each wide and th reel members rotate about axes which are disposed in parallel planes offset /4.

The reel ls'inclined from the horizontal with its free endhigher than its discharge end, the inclination of the reel being 1 per inch, or 3' 35,-

the thread being advanced toward the free end of I from a tube tothe thread on the reel at a point near the upper portion of the reel and near the free end thereof, the stream being directed tangentially of the reel in th direction of rotation thereof. The stream of processing liquid sup- 4 plies 5,000 c. c. of processing liquid per minute,

7 of inclination between the reel members is such the reel covered by thread winding being 4".

that the bundle of filaments is stored in an ad- The reel is rotated at 1'10 R. P. M., although a somewhat lower speed maybe em- ;being' rotated at 66 R. RM.

' invention are purely illustrative.

vancing helix. having' -i turns per inch, the

,Underthe above con tions of processing liquid, which extends-completely around the reel and longitudinally thereof over i the entire length of the thread windings on the reel, is formed, the filaments being spread out into a thin layer contained in the film of processing liquid.

Because according to the present invention the filaments of the turns of thread are spread out into a thin layer which is one or at most only a few filaments thick, the processing medium may reach all parts of all filaments much more readily than is possible when the filaments are not When the filaments are A continuous trated apparatus without departing. from the spirit of thepresent invention. The term thread or the like" in the appended claims is intended to include all materials whichmaybe subjected to liquid processing treatment according to the present invention.

of the filaments, the thread is more, uniformly and more thoroughly processed than heretofore possible. Therefore thread of a higher quality may be produced according to the present invention than is possible according to the threadprocessing practices heretofore employed.

According to the present invention, furthermore, it is possible to cause substantially all of the processing liquid applied to the thread to adhere to the turns of thread in the form of a sheet or film of processing liquid. Very little, if any, excess liquid need be applied to the thread, particularly if the thread is processed by means of apparatus similar to the type shown inFigures 1 to 4, inclusive. Consequently, very efiicient processing of the thread is made possible by the present invention and the amount of processing liquid which it is necessary to apply to the thread is greatly reduced as compared with the amount necessary in prior practices.

Actual tests have revealed that when 150 denier 40 filament viscose artificial silk thread is processed on a reel of the illustrated type having reel members 5" in diameter under the. conditions of the prior practices, no film of processing liquid being formed, more than three times as much washing water is necessary to thoroughly wash the thread as is required when thread of the same kind is processed on a reel of the same size according to the present invention. In this respect the. present invention results in reduced production costs, both from the standpoint of the liquid consumed and since the costs involved in transporting and pumping theliquids for the large number of thread-advancing, threadstorage devices used 'in commercial apparatus are considerably reduced. Thus, smaller conduits and other liquid-handling equipment may be employed with resultant reduced. construction costs.

Numerous other advantages of the inventio will be'apparent. 4

The above-illustrated forms of apparatus by means of which the invention may be practiced and the above-described examples of the present Thus. under suitable conditions, other types of thread store devices than that illustrated maybe employed. Various modifications may be made in the illus- It is intended that the" patent shall cover, by 7 suitable expression inthe appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of subjecting thread or the like to the action of processing liquid which includes advancing the thread or the like in the form of a traveling helix characterized by a large number of turns individually supported at. spaced 7 points; app yin the processing liquid to the thread or the like at one end of the helix, the turns of thread or the like at each end being sufficiently close to one another to permit the processing liquid to form a continuous film extending entirely around the helix and causing the processing liquid to travel lengthwise of the helix, whereby the film of processing liquid so formed is caused to envelop a substantial portion of the helix.

2. The method of subjecting thread or the like to the action of processing liquid which includes applying the processing liquid to the, thread or the like; advancing the thread or the like in the meanwhile in the form of a travelling helix characterized by a large number of turns individually supported at spaced points; and disposing the turns in said helix in sufiiciently close relation to one another so that the processing liquid applied to the thread or the like extends between adjacent turns to form a continuous film of processing liquid extending over at least a portion of the periphery defined by said turns.

3. The method of subjecting thread or the like .to the action of processing liquid which includes applyingthe processing liquid to the thread or' the like as it is advanced in the form of a travelling helix' characterized by a large number of turns individually supported at spaced points which turns, are sufilciently close to oneanother to permit the processing liquidto form a continuous film extending entirely around the helix, meanwhile rotating the helix at a speed suflicient to enable the resulting centrifugal force to assist in maintaining the film.

' 4., The method of subjecting thread or the like to the action of processing liquid which includes ap lying theprocessing liquid substantially tangentially to the thread or the like, the thread or the like being advanced in the meanwhile in the form of a travelling helix characterized by a large number of closely spaced turns individually supported at spaced points which turns are sufficiently close to one another to permit the processing liquid to form a continuous film extending entirely around and for a substantial distance lengthwise of the helix. i

5. The method of subjecting thread or the like to the action of processing liquid which includes advancing thethread or the like in the form of a travelling helixcharacterized by a large number of turns individually supported at spaced points which turns are sufiiciently close to one another topermit the processing liquid to form a continuous film extending entirely around the helix, meanwhile applying the processing liquid to the thread or thelike in a plurality of streams which are sufficiently 'closely spaced to cause adjacent streams to merge into a single film enveloping a substantial portion of the helix.

6. The method of subjecting thread or the like to the action of processing liquid which includes points'which turns are sufliciently close to one another to permit the processing liquid to form a continuous film extending entirely around the helix, meanwhile applying the processing liquid advancing the thread or the like in'the tom of 5 toward the higher end 0! the helix.

a travelling helix with its axis of rotation at an angle to the horizontal characterized by a large number of turns individually supported at spaced ALDEN H. mmxnomm. WALTER. r. meson. 

